Touch panel and display device including the same

ABSTRACT

A touch panel and display device including the same are disclosed. In one aspect, the touch panel includes a substrate including a light transmission region and a peripheral region surrounding the light transmission region, a color print layer formed in the peripheral region, and an adhesive layer formed over the substrate and the color print layer. A touch sensor layer is formed over the adhesive layer and configured to sense a touch input. At least one groove is formed in the color print layer and extends from the light transmission region to the peripheral region.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0120930 filed on Oct. 11, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C.119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND

Field

The described technology generally relates to a touch panel and adisplay device including the same.

Description of the Related Technology

Touch panels are input devices that receive touch input from a user toselect content shown on the screen of an image display device using theuser's finger or an object.

To this end, touch panels are typically formed on a front surface of theimage display device and convert the contact position directly touchedby the user's finger or the object into an electrical signal.Accordingly, the content selected at the contact position is sensed asan input signal.

Touch screen panels can replace traditional input devices such as akeyboard or a mouse, and thus are being employed in an increasingly widevariety of applications. In the standard touch panel, a color printlayer is formed in a touch inactive region along the periphery of atouch active region. These color print layers block internal components,such as sensing lines formed under the touch inactive region, from beingviewed by the user. Instead, the color print layer having a particularcolor is viewed in the peripheral region of the touch panel.

SUMMARY OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE ASPECTS

One inventive aspect is a touch panel including a color print layer anda display device including the touch panel.

Another aspect is a touch panel which can prevent bubbles from beinggenerated between an adhesive layer and a transparent substrate.

Another aspect is a touch panel which can exhaust bubbles generatedbetween an adhesive layer and a transparent substrate.

Another aspect is a display device including a touch panel which canprevent bubbles from being generated between an adhesive layer and atransparent substrate.

Another aspect is a display device including a touch panel which canexhaust bubbles generated between an adhesive layer and a transparentsubstrate.

Another aspect is a touch panel including a transparent substrate, acolor print layer formed along an edge portion of the transparentsubstrate on one surface of the transparent substrate, an adhesive layerformed on the transparent substrate and the color print layer, a touchsensor layer formed on the adhesive layer, and a penetration groovepenetrating the color print layer and connecting the inside of the edgeportion with the outside of the edge portion.

Another aspect is a display device including a touch panel including atransparent substrate, a color print layer formed along an edge portionof the transparent substrate on one surface of the transparentsubstrate, an adhesive layer formed on the transparent substrate and thecolor print layer, a touch sensor layer formed on the adhesive layer,and a penetration groove penetrating the color print layer andconnecting the inside of the edge portion with the outside of the edgeportion, a display panel formed on the touch sensor layer, and areceiving container receiving the touch panel and the display panel.

Another aspect is a touch panel including a substrate including a lighttransmission region and a peripheral region surrounding the lighttransmission region, a color print layer formed in the peripheralregion, an adhesive layer formed over the substrate and the color printlayer, and a touch sensor layer formed over the adhesive layer andconfigured to sense a touch input, wherein at least one groove is formedin the color print layer and extends from the light transmission regionto the peripheral region.

The color print layer can include a first color print layer and a secondcolor print layer formed over the first color print layer. Across-section of an inner edge of the first color print layer and aninner edge of the second color print layer can form a substantiallystepped shape. The groove can penetrate the second color print layer. Abottom surface of the groove can be defined by a top surface of thefirst color print layer and a top surface and sidewalls of the groovecan be formed in the second color print layer. The touch panel canfurther include a third color print layer formed over the second colorprint layer. The groove can penetrate the third color print layer. Abottom surface of the groove can be defined by a top surface of thesecond color print layer and a top surface and sidewalls of the groovecan be formed in the third color print layer. The at least one groovecan include a plurality of grooves.

Another aspect is a display device including a touch panel including asubstrate including a light transmission region and a peripheral regionsurrounding the light transmission region, a color print layer formed inthe peripheral region, an adhesive layer formed over the substrate andthe color print layer, and a touch sensor layer formed over the adhesivelayer, wherein at least one groove is formed in the color print layerand extends from the light transmission region to the peripheral region,a display panel formed over the touch sensor layer, and a case housingthe touch panel and the display panel.

The color print layer can include a first color print layer and a secondcolor print layer formed over the first color print layer. Across-section of an inner edge of the first color print layer and aninner edge of the second color print layer can form a substantiallystepped shape. The groove can penetrate the second color print layer. Abottom surface of the groove can be defined by a top surface of thefirst color print layer and a top surface and sidewalls of the groovecan be formed in the second color print layer. The display device canfurther include a third color print layer formed over the second colorprint layer. The groove can penetrate the third color print layer. Abottom surface of the groove can be defined by a top surface of thesecond color print layer and a top surface and sidewalls of the grooveare can be formed in the third color print layer.

Another aspect is a display device including a touch panel including asubstrate including a light transmission region and a peripheral regionsurrounding the light transmission region, a color print layer formed inthe peripheral region, and a touch sensor layer formed over the colorprint layer and the substrate and configured to sense a touch input,wherein at least one groove is formed in the color print layer andextends in a direction from the light transmission region to theperipheral region, and a display panel formed over the touch panel.

The color print layer can include a first color print layer and a secondcolor print layer formed over the first color print layer, wherein thegroove is formed in the second color print layer and wherein the heightof the second color print layer is greater than that of the first colorprint layer. The width of the groove can be greater than the height ofthe color print layer.

According to at least one embodiment, bubbles can be prevented frombeing generated between an adhesive layer and a transparent substrate.

In addition, according to at least one embodiment, bubbles generatedbetween an adhesive layer and a transparent substrate can be easilyexhausted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a touch panel according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′ of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′ of FIG.1.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to anotherembodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the touch panel shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a touch panel according to another embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toanother embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

Demand for display devices employing a touch panel having a peripheralregion with various colors is increasing. Consequently, there is agrowing demand for innovation in developing colored peripheral regions.

When multiple color print layers are formed for coloring the peripheralregion, the total thickness of the color print layers increases. As thedifference in height between a transparent substrate and the color printlayer formed thereon increases, an adhesive layer formed over the colorprint layers and the transparent substrate may not entirely fill thecorner formed between the color print layers and transparent substrate.Accordingly, bubbles are formed between the transparent substrate andthe adhesive layer. Therefore, it can be important to remove generatedbubbles when manufacturing a touch panel having a colored peripheralregion.

The aspects and features of the described technology and methods forachieving the same will be apparent by referring to the embodimentsdescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.However, the described technology is not limited to the embodimentsdisclosed hereinafter, but can be implemented in various other forms.The matters defined in the description, such as the detailedconstruction and elements, are nothing but specific details provided toassist those of ordinary skill in the art in a comprehensiveunderstanding of the described technology, and the described technologyis only defined within the scope of the appended claims.

The term “on” is used herein to designate that an element is on anotherelement or layer and refers to both when the element is located directlyon the other element or layer and when the element is located on theother element or layer with yet another layer or element interposedtherebetween. In the entire description, the same drawing referencenumerals are used for the same elements throughout the figures.

Although the terms “first,” “second,” and so forth are used to describethe various constituent elements, such constituent elements are notlimited by these terms. The terms are used only to differentiate oneconstituent element from other constituent elements. Accordingly, in thefollowing description, a first constituent element may be termed asecond constituent element without departing from the scope of thedescribed technology. The term “substantially” as used in thisdisclosure can include the meaning of completely, almost completely, orto any significant degree in some applications and in accordance withthe understanding of those skilled in the art.

Hereinafter, a touch panel according to an embodiment will be describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the touch panel 100 includes a transparentsubstrate or substrate 10 and a color print layer 200 formed along anedge portion 110 of the transparent substrate 10 on one surface of thetransparent substrate 10. The touch panel 100 also includes an adhesivelayer 300 formed on the transparent substrate 10 and the color printlayer 200, a touch sensor layer 400 formed on the adhesive layer 300,and a penetration groove or groove 250 penetrating through the colorprint layer 200 and connecting the inside of the edge portion 110 to theoutside of the edge portion 110.

The transparent substrate 10 is a transparent panel and can be formed ofa transparent material, such as glass, polyethylenetherephtalate (PET)or acryl. The term “transparent” as used herein refers to both “fullytransparent” meaning about 100% transmission of light and“semi-transparent” meaning partial transmission of light.

The transparent substrate 10 includes a display portion or lighttransmission region 120 and an edge portion or peripheral region 110surrounding the outer circumference of the display portion 120.

The display portion 120 of the transparent substrate 10 may correspondto the display region of a display panel 500 having the display regionand a non-display region. Images output from the display panel 500 aretransmitted through the display portion 120 of the transparent substrate10 so as to be observed by a user of the display device.

According to some embodiments, the display portion 120 has asubstantially rectangular shape, but the described technology is notlimited to the shape of the display portion 120 illustrated herein.According to other embodiments, the display portion 120 has a circularshape or an at least partially curved portion.

The edge portion 110 is formed along the outer circumference of thedisplay portion 120. The edge portion 110 has a shape corresponding tothe outer circumference of the display portion 120. Thus, when thedisplay portion 120 has a substantially rectangular shape, the edgeportion 110 also has a substantially rectangular shape formed along theouter circumference of the display portion 120. In some embodiments,when the display portion 120 has a substantially rectangular shape, theedge portion 110 has four sides corresponding to the sides of thedisplay portion 120. For the sake clarity, the four sides of the edgeportion 110 are respectively referred to as first to fourth sides. Inthe some embodiments, the first side faces the third side and the secondside faces the fourth side. The widths of the first and third sidesfacing each other are substantially equal to each other, and similarly,the widths of the second and fourth sides are substantially equal toeach other. The widths of the first side and the second side can bedifferent from each other as shown in FIG. 1, which is provided only forillustration. The described technology is not limited thereto. In otherembodiments, the widths of the first to fourth sides are substantiallyequal to each other.

The color print layer 200 is formed along the edge portion 110 on onesurface of the transparent substrate 10.

The color print layer 200 is formed so as to correspond to a non-displayregion of the display panel 500, which will later be described.Accordingly, the color print layer 200 can cover various components,such as drivers, a printed circuit board, and so on, formed in thenon-display region of the display panel 500, such that the componentsare hidden from view via the other surface of the transparent substrate10.

Depending on the embodiment, the color print layer 200 can be formed ofa single layer or a stacked structure of multiple layers. In FIGS. 1 to4, the color print layer 200 is illustrated as including two layers,which is, however, provided only for illustration, and the describedtechnology is not limit the structure of the color print layer 200illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4. Thus, in some embodiments, the color printlayer 200 is formed of a single layer or a stacked structure of two ormore stacked layers, which will later be described.

The color print layer 200 can be formed with any color withoutlimitation. For example, the color print layer 200 can have variouscolors, including, for example, black, white, pink, or the like.

The penetration groove 250 is formed in the color print layer 200 toconnect the inside of the edge portion 110 to the outside of the edgeportion 110. The penetration groove 250 penetrates through the colorprint layer 200 and connects the inside of the edge portion 110 to theoutside of the edge portion 110. Thus, the penetration groove 250 isformed through the color print layer in a direction from the displayportion 120 to the edge portion 110. The penetration groove 250 isformed to be substantially parallel to one surface of the transparentsubstrate 10. One end of the penetration groove 250 extending in asubstantially horizontal direction faces the display portion 120 and theother end of the penetration groove 250 faces away from the touch panel100. When the penetration groove 250 is included in the touch panel 100and connects the inside of the edge portion 110 to the outside of theedge portion 110, bubbles generated inside the touch panel 100,specifically between the adhesive layer 300 to be described later andthe transparent substrate 10, can be exhausted to the environmentthrough the penetration groove 250. Hereinafter, an embodiment of thepenetration groove 250 will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 2 to 4.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the penetration groove 250 is formed in aregion of the color print layer adjacent to the edge portion 110. Thenumber of penetration grooves is not limited. Thus, depending on theembodiment, the penetration groove 250 can be a single penetrationgroove or a plurality of penetration grooves. An embodiment where thepenetration groove 250 includes a plurality of penetration grooves willbe described later.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3, a third height is in the range ofabout 1 μm to about 3 μm, which is, however, provided only forillustration. The height of the penetration groove 250 is not limited tothe range of the third height described above.

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate that the penetration groove 250 has asubstantially rectangular cross-sectional shape; however, thecross-sectional shape of the penetration groove 250 is not limitedthereto. That is to say, the penetration groove 250 can have asubstantially circular or an at least partially curved cross-sectionalshape.

FIGS. 2 to 4 illustrate that the penetration groove 250 penetratesthrough the second color print layer 202, but the position of thepenetration groove 250 is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, thepenetration groove 250 penetrates the first color print layer 201 and/orthe second color print layer 202. In these embodiments, the bottomsurface of the penetration groove 250 is formed in the first color printlayer 201, the top surface of the penetration groove 250 is formed inthe second color print layer 202, and the sidewalls of the penetrationgroove 250 are formed in both the first and second color print layers201 and 202.

The adhesive layer 300 is formed on the transparent substrate 10 and thecolor print layer 200. In the embodiment including the second colorprint layer 202 formed on the first color print layer 201, the adhesivelayer 300 covers a top surface of the second color print layer 202 and atop surface of the transparent substrate 10. The adhesive layer 300attaches the touch sensor layer 400 to be described later to thetransparent substrate 10. The adhesive layer 300 can be formed of atransparent and adhesive material. In some embodiments, the adhesivelayer 300 is a tape-like optically clear adhesive (OCA), which is,however, described only as an example, but the adhesive layer 300 is notlimited thereto.

The adhesive layer 300 has a greater thickness than the color printlayer 200. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the top surface of the adhesivelayer 300 is substantially planar. In these embodiments, the thicknessof the color print layer 200 is less than that of the adhesive layer300, so that the top surface of the adhesive layer 300 is substantiallyplanar.

When the adhesive layer 300 is an OCA, bubbles can be generated betweenthe adhesive layer 300 and the transparent substrate 10, specifically,the bubbles can be generated adjacent to the color print layer 200, dueto the step in height of the color print layer 200. As described above,when the penetration groove 250 is formed penetrating through the colorprint layer 200, bubbles generated between the adhesive layer 300 andthe transparent substrate 10 can be exhausted through the penetrationgroove 250.

The touch sensor layer 400 is formed on the adhesive layer 300. Thetouch sensor layer 400 senses touch input applied to the other surfaceof the transparent substrate 10 and generates an input signal based onthe touch input. In some embodiments, the touch sensor layer 400 sensesthe touch input using one of a capacitive, infrared, ultrasonic, andresistive method. These methods are, however, provided only as examples,the method used by the touch sensor layer 400 to sense touch input isnot limited thereto.

Hereinafter, additional embodiments will be described. In the followingdescription, the same functional components are denoted with the samereference numerals and repeated descriptions thereof will be omitted oronly briefly presented.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a touch panel according to anotherembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the touch panel is different from the touch panelshown in FIG. 3 in that the inside edges of the first and second colorprint layers 201 and 202 are formed to have a substantially steppedcross-sectional shape.

As described above, the second color print layer 202 is formed on thefirst color print layer 201 and overlaps the first color print layer201. The inner edges of the first and second color print layers 201 and202 are formed to have a substantially step shape seen from across-sectional view. As shown in FIG. 5, the inner wall of the firstcolor print layer 201 extend farther toward the interior of the edgeportion than the inner wall of the second color print layer 202. Inthese embodiments, however, the outer wall of the first and second colorprint layers 201 and 202 are vertically aligned.

When the inside of the first color print layer 201 and the inside of thesecond color print layer 202 are formed to have a substantially steppedcross-sectional shape, the difference in height between the topmostsurface of the color print layer 200 and the transparent substrate 10has a more gradual transition, compared to when the inner wall of thefirst color print layer 201 and the inner wall of the second color printlayer 202 are aligned. Consequently, the bubbles generated due to thedifference in height between the color print layer 200 and thetransparent substrate 10 can be reduced.

In the FIG. 5 embodiment, the penetration groove 250 is formed on thefirst color print layer 201 and penetrates through a portion of thesecond color print layer 202. Since the penetration groove 250 issubstantially the same as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4,a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 6 illustrate two cross-sectional views of a touch panel accordingto another embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the touch panel is different from the touchpanel according to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, in that thecolor print layer 210 includes a first color print layer 201, a secondcolor print layer 202, and a third color print layer 203.

As described above, the color print layer 210 can be formed to have astacked structure including multiple stacked layers. In detail, thecolor print layer 210 can include the second color print layer 202formed on the first color print layer 201 and the third color printlayer 203 formed on the second color print layer 202.

The first to third color print layers 201 to 203, can have differentcolors, however, the described technology is not limited thereto. Thefirst to third color print layers 201 to 203 can have the same color.Alternatively, one of the first to third color print layers 201 to 203can have a different color from the other two color print layers.

Accordingly, depending on the embodiment, each of the first to thirdcolor print layers 201 to 203 can have various colors, but the describedtechnology not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, each of the first to third color print layers 201to 203 has a thickness in the range of about 5 μm to about 9 μm. In theFIG. 6 embodiment, the penetration groove 250 is formed on the secondcolor print layer 202, however, this configuration is provided only asan example. As described above, the penetration groove 250 can be formedon the first color print layer 201. However, in the followingdescription, the described technology will be described by way ofexample wherein the penetration groove 250 is formed on the second colorprint layer 202. The penetration groove 250 formed on the second colorprint layer 202 connects the inside and the outside of an edge portion110 and extends substantially parallel to one surface of a transparentsubstrate 10.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the penetration groove 250 is formedpenetrating through a portion of the third color print layer 203. Thatis to say, the bottom surface of the penetration groove 250 is formed inthe second color print layer 202, and the sidewalls and top surfacefacing the bottom surface of the penetration groove 250 are formed inthe third color print layer 203. In this embodiment, the height of thethird color print layer 203 in regions where the penetration groove 250is not formed, that is, a fifth height d5, is substantially equal to thesum of the height of the penetration groove 250, that is, a sixth heightd6 and a height of the third color print layer 203 in the region wherethe penetration groove 250 is formed, that is, a seventh height d7.

In the FIG. 6 embodiment, the sixth height d6 is in the range of about 1μm to about 3 μm, which is, however, provided only as an example,however, the described technology is not limited the height of thepenetration groove 250 described above.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that the penetration groove 250 has arectangular cross-section; however, the cross-sectional shape of thepenetration groove 250 is not limited thereto. That is to say, thepenetration groove 250 can have a circular or an at least partiallycurved cross-sectional shape.

FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate that the penetration groove 250 penetratesthrough the third color print layer 203, but the position of thepenetration groove 250 is not limited thereto. In some embodiments,although not shown, the penetration groove 250 can be formed penetratingthrough a portion of the second color print layer 202 and a portion ofthe third color print layer 203. In other embodiments, the penetrationgroove 250 penetrates through the first, second, and third color printlayers 201 to 203 at the same time. When the penetration groove 250penetrates a portion of the second and third color print layers 202 and203, the bottom surface of the penetration groove 250 is formed in thesecond color print layer 202, the top surface of the penetration groove250 is formed in the third color print layer 203, and the sidewalls ofthe penetration groove 250 are formed in the second and third colorprint layers 202 and 203. When the penetration groove 250 penetratesthrough the first to third color print layers 201 to 203, the bottomsurface of the penetration groove 250 is formed in the first color printlayer 201, the top surface of the penetration groove 250 is formed inthe third color print layer 203, and the sidewalls of the penetrationgroove 250 are formed in each of the first, second, and third colorprint layers 201 to 203.

The adhesive layer 300 is formed on the third color print layer 203. Theadhesive layer 300 covers the top surface of the third color print layer203 and the top surface of the transparent substrate 10. The adhesivelayer 300 is substantially the same as that according to the previousembodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, and a detailed description thereof isomitted.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a touch panel according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 8, the touch panel 101 is different from the touchpanel 100 according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 in that apenetration groove 250 includes a plurality of penetration grooves.

In the touch panel 101 of FIG. 8, the penetration groove 250 includes aplurality of penetration grooves formed along an edge portion 110 of thetransparent substrate 10. FIG. 8 illustrates that the penetrationgrooves 250 are formed in a first side and a third side of the edgeportion 110 of the transparent substrate 10 and extend to besubstantially parallel to a second side and a fourth side of the edgeportion 110 of the transparent substrate 10. However, the describedtechnology is not limited to the direction and number of the penetrationgrooves 250 as described herein. In other embodiments, the penetrationgrooves 250 are formed in the second and fourth sides and extend to besubstantially parallel to the first and third sides of the touch panel101. In addition, the number of penetration grooves 250 is not limitedto the above description or the illustration of FIG. 8.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according toanother embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, the display device includes a receiving containeror case 600, a display panel 500 housed in the receiving container 600and including a plurality of pixels having colors varying according toelectrical signals, and a touch panel 100 formed on the display panel500. Here, the touch panel 100 includes a transparent substrate 10, acolor print layer formed along an edge portion 110 of the transparentsubstrate 10 and on one surface of the transparent substrate 10. Thetouch panel 100 also includes an adhesive layer 300 formed on thetransparent substrate 10 and the color print layer, a touch sensor layer400 formed on the adhesive layer 300, and a penetration groove 250penetrating through the color print layer and connecting the inside ofthe edge portion 110 to the outside of the edge portion 110.

The receiving container 600 houses the display panel 500 and the touchpanel 100. In order to transmit the light generated by the display panel500 through the touch panel 100, the receiving container 600 includes anopen end at the top thereof. In addition, in the embodiment of FIG. 9 inwhich the touch panel 100 and the display panel 500 are rectangular, thereceiving container 600 has a rectangular shape, but the describedtechnology is not limited to the illustrated shape of the receivingcontainer 600. The receiving container 600 can have various shapes andstructures that are known in the related art depending on theembodiment. Thus, the described technology does not limit the kind orshape of the receiving container 600 to that described herein.

The display panel 500 displays images. The display panel 500 includes,for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel, aliquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), anelectrophoretic display (EPD) panel or an electrowetting display (EWD)panel, which are provided only as examples. The described technology isnot limited to the display panels 500 described herein.

The display panel 500 includes a display region and a non-displayregion. In some embodiments, a plurality of pixels defined by theintersections between a plurality of data lines and a plurality of gatelines are formed in the display region. In addition, each of the pixelsis driven by an electrical signal to emit light.

Driver ICs for driving the pixels in the display region are formed inthe non-display region. The structure and driving method of the displaypanel 500 are obvious to one skilled in the art and detaileddescriptions thereof will be omitted to avoid obscuring the scope of thedescribed technology.

The touch panel 100 is formed on the display panel 500. As shown in FIG.9, the display panel 500 is interposed between the touch panel 100 andthe receiving container 600. In detail, the display panel 500 is formedon the touch panel 100. In the FIG. 9 embodiment, the touch sensor layer400 of touch panel 100 contacts the display panel 500, however, thedescribed technology is not limited thereto. Various intervening layerscan also be formed between the touch panel 100 and the touch sensorlayer 400.

The display panel 500 is interposed between the receiving container 600and the touch panel 100. As described above, the display region of thedisplay panel 500 is located in an area corresponding to the displayportion 120 of the touch panel 100 and the non-display region of thedisplay panel 500 is located in an area corresponding to the edgeportion 110 of the touch panel 100.

When light is generated from the display region of the display panel500, the light passes through the touch panel 100 to the environment.Accordingly, images displayed on the display device can be viewed by auser.

The touch panel can be substantially the same as any one of the touchpanels according to embodiments of the described technology, and adetailed description thereof will be omitted.

While the inventive technology has been particularly shown and describedwith reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understoodby those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form anddetails can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scopeof the present invention as defined by the following claims. It istherefore desired that the present embodiments be considered in allrespects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made tothe appended claims rather than the foregoing description to indicatethe scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch panel, comprising: a substrate includinga light transmission region and a peripheral region surrounding thelight transmission region; a color print layer formed in the peripheralregion; an adhesive layer formed over the substrate and the color printlayer; and a touch sensor layer formed over the adhesive layer andconfigured to sense a touch input, wherein at least one groove is formedin the color print layer and extends from the light transmission regionto the peripheral region, wherein the color print layer includes a firstcolor print layer and a second color print layer formed over the firstcolor print layer, wherein the groove penetrates the second color printlayer, and wherein a bottom surface of the groove is defined by a topsurface of the first color print layer and a top surface and sidewallsof the groove are formed in the second color print layer.
 2. The touchpanel of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of an inner edge of the firstcolor print layer and an inner edge of the second color print layer forma substantially stepped shape.
 3. The touch panel of claim 1, whereinthe at least one groove includes a plurality of grooves.
 4. The touchpanel of claim 1, wherein the groove continuously extends from the lighttransmission region to an external edge of the peripheral region.
 5. Atouch panel comprising: a substrate including a light transmissionregion and a peripheral region surrounding the light transmissionregion; a color print layer formed in the peripheral region; an adhesivelayer formed over the substrate and the color print layer; and a touchsensor layer formed over the adhesive layer and configured to sense atouch input, wherein at least one groove is formed in the color printlayer and extends from the light transmission region to the peripheralregion, wherein the color print layer includes a first color printlayer, a second color print layer formed over the first color printlayer, and a third color print layer formed over the second color printlayer, wherein the groove penetrates the third color print layer, andwherein a bottom surface of the groove is defined by a top surface ofthe second color print layer and atop surface and sidewalls of thegroove are formed in the third color print layer.
 6. A display device,comprising: a touch panel including: a substrate including a lighttransmission region; a color print layer formed in the peripheral regionand forming a boundary between the light transmission region and theperipheral region; an adhesive layer formed over the substrate and thecolor print layer; and a touch sensor layer formed over the adhesivelayer, wherein at least one groove is formed in the color print layerand extends from the light transmission region to the peripheral region;a display panel formed over the touch sensor layer; and a case housingthe touch panel and the display panel, wherein the color print layerincludes a first color print layer; and a second color print layerformed over the first color print layer, wherein the groove penetratesthe second color print layer, and wherein a bottom surface of the grooveis defined by a top surface of the first color print layer and a topsurface and sidewalls of the groove are formed in the second color printlayer.
 7. The display device of claim 6, wherein a cross-section of aninner edge of the first color print layer and an inner edge of thesecond color print layer form a substantially stepped shape.
 8. Adisplay device comprising: a touch panel including: a substrateincluding a light transmission region; a color print layer formed in theperipheral region and forming a boundary between the light transmissionregion and the peripheral region; an adhesive layer formed over thesubstrate and the color print layer; and a touch sensor layer formedover the adhesive layer, wherein at least one groove: is formed in thecolor print layer and extends from the light transmission region to theperipheral region; a display panel formed over the touch sensor layer;and a case housing the touch panel and the display panel, wherein thecolor print layer includes a first color print layer, a second colorprint layer formed over the first color print layer and a third colorprint layer formed over the second color print layer, wherein the groovepenetrates the third color print layer, and wherein a bottom surface ofthe groove is defined by a top surface of the second color print layerand atop surface and sidewalls of the groove are formed in the thirdcolor print layer.
 9. A display device, comprising: a touch panelincluding: a substrate including a light transmission region and aperipheral region surrounding the light transmission region; a colorprint layer formed in the peripheral region; and a touch sensor layerformed over the color print layer and the substrate and configured tosense a touch input, wherein at least one groove is formed in the colorprint layer and extends from the light transmission region to theperipheral region; and a display panel formed over the touch panel,wherein the color print layer includes a first color print layer and asecond color print layer formed over the first color print layer,wherein the groove penetrates the second color print layer, and whereina bottom surface of the groove is defined by a top surface of the firstcolor print layer and a top surface and sidewalls of the groove areformed in the second color print layer.
 10. The display device of claim9, wherein the groove is formed in the second color print layer andwherein the height of the second color print layer is greater than thatof the first color print layer.
 11. The display device of claim 10,wherein the width of the groove is greater than the height of the colorprint layer.